Goal shield

ABSTRACT

A frame defining a goal opening and a plurality of readily attachable and detachable panels cooperate to form a goal shield. A plurality of fasteners are provided on the frame and adjacent sides of the panels for interlocking the panels and the frame. Selected panels are removed by disengaging certain fasteners to form random target areas in different locations in the goal opening. Plates are rotatably mounted to the panels about through holes formed in the panels, additional target areas being provided when the plates are rotated to expose the through holes.

United States Patent 1191 Samaras June 3, 1975 GOAL SHIELD 211 Appl.No.: 297,293

3,675,921 7/1972 Meyers 273/l.5 A 3,709,489 1/1973 Holleran 273/1 B3,765,675 10/1973 Di Marzio................1.......... 273/1 B FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 13,888 10/1834 United Kingdom 273/1052 PrimaryExaminerPaul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or FirmMorse, Altman, Oates &

[52] US. Cl. 273/1 B; 273/105 R; 273/1052;

273/127 B Bell" [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/00 [58] Field of Search 273/1 B,105 R, 105.2, ABSTRACT 273/127 127 127 35 131 A frame defining a goalopening and a plurality of 85 F readily attachable and detachable panelscooperate to form a goal shield. A plurality of fasteners are prol lReferences Cited vided on the frame and adjacent sides of the panels forUNITED STATES PATENTS interlocking the panels and the frame. Selectedpanels 1,348,597 8/1920 Stewart 273/105 R are emmed by disellgagingcertain 14|g,339 6H9 Templeton t 273/105 R random target areas indifferent locations 1n the goal 2,256,555 9 1941 P611111 et al..... 273127 R p gl s ar ata ly unt d t th panels 2,455,!85 ll/l948 May 273/105 RX about through holes formed in the panels, additional 2,708,576 5/1955Verkuilem 273/15 A target areas being provided when the plates are re-McCain X tated to expose the through holes 3,552,749 1/1971 Piggotte27311.5 A 3,653,661 4/1972 Leonhart 273/85 13 4 Claims, 8 DrawingFigures PATENTED FIG.

FIG.,2

F/JFIWE'EPJUHE ms SHEET FIG.7

FIG.6

GOAL SHIELD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention Thepresent invention relates to recreational equipment and, moreparticularly, is directed towards a goal shield.

2. Background of the Invention In hockey, an essential member to theteam is a goal keeper whose skill affects the proficiency of the team.That is, during practice, the adeptness of the goal keeper in preventingplayers from scoring goals reflects in the shooting proficiency of theplayers. Thus, an extremely good goal keeper will sharpen the shootingskills of players and, conversely, a mediocre goalkeeper will notenchance shooting proficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a goal shield, particularly for the game of hockey. having avariable target area through which a goal is scored. The presentinvention is characterized by a frame having cooperating panels whichform a goal shield. The panels are juxtaposed in edge to edgerelationship and joined to one another and mounted to the frame. Thescoring area is varied by removing selected panels. Rotatably mountedplates cover apertures formed in the panels, exposed apertures definingadditional scoring areas. The combination of frame, removable panels andexposable apertures is such as to provide a goal shield for enchancingthe shooting proficiency of game players.

The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing theconstruction. combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, the scope of whichwill be indi cated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had tothe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a goal shield embodying the invention:

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the goal shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the goal shield of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view, somewhat exaggerated, showing details of thecover plate of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of FIG. 5:

FIG. 7 is a rear view, somewhat exaggerated, showing details of a hingefor fastening adjacent panels; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative hinge anddrive mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings,particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a goal shield 10 comprising aframe l2 and a sectional body 14. Frame 12 and sectional body 14 arecomposed of a rigid material for example, wood, aluminum. metal orfiberglass.

Frame [2 includes a pair of vertical supports 16 and IS, the upper endsof which are connected by means of a cross-member 20. Supports l6 and 18are in spaced parallel relationship to one another and in perpendicularrelationship to cross-member 20. Frame l2 defines an inverted U-shapedstructure having a profile corresponding to a hockey goal cage mouth,for example. If desired, frame 12 may be attached to the goal cage bymeans of suitable clamping devices.

In the illustrated embodiment, by way of example, sectional body 14 isorganized about a panel 22 having a profile defining a goal keeper. Theupper portion of panel 22 is mounted to cross-member 20 by means offasteners 24. A pair of like profile panels 26, 28 are joined toopposite edges of the upper portion of panel 22 by means of fasteners 30and to cross-member 20 by means of fasteners 24. A panel 32 is mountedin mating relationship with panels 22 and 26 by fasteners 30, the outerside edges of panels 26 and 32 being in vertical registration. As viewedin FIG. I, the right hand edges of panels 26 and 32 and the left handedge of panel 22 have complementary profiles; panels 22, 26, and 32juxtaposed in edge to edge relationship. A panel 34 is mounted in matingrelationship with panels 22 and 28 by fasteners 30, the outer side edgesof panels 28 and 34 being in vertical registration. As viewed in FIG. 1,the left hand edges of panels 28 and 34 and the right hand edge of panel22 have complementary profiles; panels 22, 28 and 34 juxtaposed in edgeto edge relationship. A panel 36 is joined to panels 26 and 32 byfasteners 30 and to cross-member 20 by fasteners 24. A panel 38 ismounted to panels 28 and 34 by fasteners 30 and to cross-member 20 byfasteners 24. A panel 40 is joined to support 16 and panel 36 byfasteners 30 and to cross-member 20 by fasteners 24. A panel 42 ismounted to support 18 and panel 38 by fasteners 30 and to cross-member20 by fasteners 24. It is to be understood that fasteners 24 and 30 areselectively located so that frame 12 and panels 22, 26 28, 32, 34, 36,38, 40 and 42 cooperate to provide a unitized goal shield 10.

As best shown in FIG. 3, goal shield 10 is provided with a stand 44comprising truncated triangular legs 46 and 48 which are connected tothe rear face of panel 22 at the upper portion thereof by fasteners 30.Restraining devices 50 and 52, for example straps, are fastened betweenlegs46 and 48 and panel 22 for limiting the rearward extending positionof legs 46, 48.

The target area through which a goal can be scored is varied by removingone or more of the interconnected panels. In order to facilitate removalof any panel, in the preferred embodiment, FIG. 7, each fastener 30 is adouble leaf hinge having a retaining ring 54 affixed to a hinge pin 46.Ring 54 is connected to one of the adjacent panels by means of a strap56 and a screw 57. In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners 24 and 30are like hinges. In an alternative embodiment, each fastener 24 is amodified hinge structure 58 of the type shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it will be seen that in the alternativeembodiment, cross-member 20 is a channel 60 which is formed with aT-shaped keyway 62 extending along the longitudinal axis thereof. Hingedstructure 58 is provided with a T-shaped key 64 which is frictionallyengaged within keyway 62. It will be readily appreciated that eachhinged structure 58 is slidable within keyway 62, thus facilitatingmovement of the panels comprising sectional body 14 and providingvarious scoring area arrangements. For example, if panels 36, 38, 40 and42 are removed, the area through which a goal is scored is defined bythe area bounded by support 16, cross-member 20, panel 26 and panel 32and the area bounded by support 18, cross-member 20, panel 28 and panel34. ln order to change the scoring area, panels 22, 26, 28. 32 and 34are movedtowards support 16 or support l8. In another embodiment. panels26, 28. 32, 34. 36, 38, 40 and 42 and stand 44 are removed. As shown inFIG. 8, a motor 45 is operatively connected to modified hinge structure58 for moving panel 22 back and forth across the length of channel 60.Although not shown. it is to be understood that goal shield is supportedby means of a suitable stand affixed to frame 12 or is clamped to a goalcage. A control 47 is electrically connected to motor 45 for controlthereof. In one embodiment, control 47 is manually op erated forselective movement of panel 22 and in an alternate embodiment control 47includes logic circuitry for moving panel 22 back and forth acrosschannel 60 at predetermined rates. Reference character 66, shown indetail in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, denote additional scoring areas.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a fragmentary view of panel 36which is formed with a through hole 68. A plate 70 formed with anaperture 72 is rotatably mounted to panel 36 by a pin 74. By way ofexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of hole 68 isapproximately three and one half inches and the diameter of aperture 70is approximately four and one half inches. Plate 70 is provided with astop 76 which is engaged by a stud 78 mounted to panel 36. A cover plate80, rotatably mounted to pin 74, is provided with a stop 82 is engagedby stud 78. Pin 74 and 78 are offset from the center of hole 68 so thatwhen plates 70 and 80 are placed in the engaged or in the disengagedposition, they will remain there, plate 70 shown in the engaged positionand plate 80 shown in the disengaged position. As best shown in FIGS. 5and 6, a net pocket 84 is attached to the rearward face of panel 36 bymeans of a ring 86 and screws 88. It is to be understood that theadditonal scoring areas denoted by reference character 66 and describedin conjunction with panel 36 are provided in selected ones or all of thepanels a predetermined locations. in the illustrated embodimerit, netpocket 84 is a closely woven material composed of. for example, asynthetic material such as a polyamide resin. Preferably, the net pocketmaterial is colored to provide a readily perceivable target.

Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe ac companying drawings be construed in an illlustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A goal shield comprising:

a. a frame having a substantially U-shaped profile in cross section.said frame including a pair of side members and a top cross member:

b. a body coplanar with said frame. said body including first. second,third, fourth, and fifth panels;

c. a plurality of fastening means mounted to said frame and said body,said fastening means including first, second and third members. saidthird member adapted to readily engage and disengage said first andsecond members, said first member detachably mounted to said secondmember when said first and second members are engaged by said thirdmember;

d. said first panel connected to one of said side members. said topcross member. and said second panel;

e. said second panel connected to said top cross member. said firstpanel. said third panel. and said fourth panel;

f. said third panel connected to said top cross member. said secondpanel. said fifth panel;

g. said fourth panel connected to said second panel and said fifthpanel;

h. said fifth panel in the form of a hockey goal keeper, said fifthpanel detachably connected to said top cross member, said third panel,and said fourth panel;

i. at least two of said first members mounted on each said first, secondand third panels. at least one of said first members mounted on adjacentsides of each said first, second and third panels;

j. at least two of said second members mounted on said frame. at leastone second member mounted on one of said side members and on said topcross member;

k. a first plate rotatably mounted to said body at a forward facethereof. said first plate rotatably between a first position and asecond position. said body formed with a through hole. said through holecovered by said first plate when said first plate is in said firstposition, said through hole exposed when said first plate is in saidsecond position; and

l. a second plate rotatably mounted to said body at the forward facethereof, said second plate rotatable between a first position and asecond position, said first and second plates having substantiallycircular profiles, said through hole and said first and second platebeing coaxial, said second plate formed with a through hole having adiameter less than the diameter of said through hole formed in saidbody, said first plate having a diameter larger than said through holeformed in said second plate. said through hole formed in said secondplate covered when said first plate is in said first position andexposed when said first plate is in said second position, a portion ofsaid through hole formed in said body covered when said first plate isin said second position and said second plate is in said first position.all of said through hole formed in said body exposed when said firstplate is in said second position and said second plate is in said secondposition.

2. The goal shield as claimed in claim 1 including a net pocket mountedto a rearward face of said body about said through hole formed in saidbody.

3. A goal shield comprising:

a. a frame having a substantially U-shaped profile in cross section,said frame including a pair of side members and a top cross member;

b. a body coplanar with said frame. said body includ' ing first. second,third. fourth. and fifth panels;

c. a plurality of fastening means mounted to said frame and said body.said fastening means including first, second and third members, saidthird member adapted to readily engage and disengage said first andsecond members, said first member detachably mounted to said secondmember when said first and second members are engaged by said thirdmember.

d. said first panel connected to one of said side members. said topcross member. and said second panel.

c. said second panel connected to said top cross member. said firstpanel, said third panel, and said fourth panel;

f. said third panel connected to said top cross memher. said secondpanel. said fifth panel;

g. said fourth panel connected to said second panel and said fifthpanel;

h. said fifth panel detachably connected to said top cross member, saidthird panel. and said fourth panel;

i. at least two of said first members mounted on each said first, secondand third panels, at least one of said first members mounted on adjacentsides of each said first, second and third panels;

j. at least two of said second members mounted on said frame. at leastone second member mounted on one of said side members and on said topcross member;

k. a first plate mounted to said body at a forward face thereof, saidfirst plate movable between a first position and a second position, saidbody formed with a through hole, said through hole covered by said firstplate when said first plate is in said first position, said through holeexposed when said first plate is in said second position; and

l. a second plate mounted to said body at the forward face thereof, saidsecond plate movable between a first position and a second position,said second plate formed with a through hole having a diameter less thanthe diameter of said through hole formed in said body, said through holeformed in said second plate being coaxial with said through hole formedin said body when said second plate is in said first position, saidfirst plate having a profile larger than the diameter of said throughhole formed in said second plate, said through hole formed in saidsecond plate covered when said first plate is in said first position andexposed when said first plate is in said second position. a portion ofsaid through hole formed in said body covered when said first plate isin said second position and said second plate is in said first position,all of said through hole formed in said body exposed when said firstplate is in said second position and said second plate is in said secondposition.

4. A goal shield comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a body formed with a through hole;

c. fastening means for mounting said body to said frame;

(1. a first plate mounted to said body at a forward face thereof, saidfirst plate movable between a first position and a second position. saidthrough hole covered by said first plate when said first plate is insaid first position, said through hole exposed when said first plate isin said second position; and

e. a second plate mounted to said body at the forward face thereof, saidsecond plate movable between a first position and a second position.said first and second plates having substantially circular profiles,said through hole and said first and second plate being coaxial, saidsecond plate formed with a through hole having a diameter less than thediameter of said through hole formed in said body, said first platehaving a diameter larger than said through hole formed in said secondplate, said through hole formed in said second plate covered when saidfirst plate is in said first position and exposed when said first plateis in said second position, a portion of said through hole formed insaid body covered when said first plate is in said second position andsaid second plate is in said first position, all of said through holeformed in said body exposed when said first plate is in said secondposition and said second plate is in said second posi-

1. A goal shield comprising: a. a frame having a substantially U-shapedprofile in cross section, said frame including a pair of side membersand a top cross member; b. a body coplanar with said frame, said bodyincluding first, second, third, fourth, and fifth panels; c. a pluralityof fastening means mounted to said frame and said body, said fasteningmeans including first, second and third members, said third memberadapted to readily engage and disengage said first and second members,said first member detachably mounted to said second member when saidfirst and second members are engaged by said third member; d. said firstpanel connected to one of said side members, said top cross member, andsaid second panel; e. said second panel connected to said top crossmember, said first panel, said third panel, and said fourth panel; f.said third panel connected to said top cross member, said second panel,said fifth panel; g. said fourth panel connected to said second paneland said fifth panel; h. said fifth panel in the form of a hockey goalkeeper, said fifth panel detachably connected to said top cross member,said third panel, and said fourth panel; i. at least two of said firstmembers mounted on each said first, second and third panels, at leAstone of said first members mounted on adjacent sides of each said first,second and third panels; j. at least two of said second members mountedon said frame, at least one second member mounted on one of said sidemembers and on said top cross member; k. a first plate rotatably mountedto said body at a forward face thereof, said first plate rotatablybetween a first position and a second position, said body formed with athrough hole, said through hole covered by said first plate when saidfirst plate is in said first position, said through hole exposed whensaid first plate is in said second position; and l. a second platerotatably mounted to said body at the forward face thereof, said secondplate rotatable between a first position and a second position, saidfirst and second plates having substantially circular profiles, saidthrough hole and said first and second plate being coaxial, said secondplate formed with a through hole having a diameter less than thediameter of said through hole formed in said body, said first platehaving a diameter larger than said through hole formed in said secondplate, said through hole formed in said second plate covered when saidfirst plate is in said first position and exposed when said first plateis in said second position, a portion of said through hole formed insaid body covered when said first plate is in said second position andsaid second plate is in said first position, all of said through holeformed in said body exposed when said first plate is in said secondposition and said second plate is in said second position.
 1. A goalshield comprising: a. a frame having a substantially U-shaped profile incross section, said frame including a pair of side members and a topcross member; b. a body coplanar with said frame, said body includingfirst, second, third, fourth, and fifth panels; c. a plurality offastening means mounted to said frame and said body, said fasteningmeans including first, second and third members, said third memberadapted to readily engage and disengage said first and second members,said first member detachably mounted to said second member when saidfirst and second members are engaged by said third member; d. said firstpanel connected to one of said side members, said top cross member, andsaid second panel; e. said second panel connected to said top crossmember, said first panel, said third panel, and said fourth panel; f.said third panel connected to said top cross member, said second panel,said fifth panel; g. said fourth panel connected to said second paneland said fifth panel; h. said fifth panel in the form of a hockey goalkeeper, said fifth panel detachably connected to said top cross member,said third panel, and said fourth panel; i. at least two of said firstmembers mounted on each said first, second and third panels, at leAstone of said first members mounted on adjacent sides of each said first,second and third panels; j. at least two of said second members mountedon said frame, at least one second member mounted on one of said sidemembers and on said top cross member; k. a first plate rotatably mountedto said body at a forward face thereof, said first plate rotatablybetween a first position and a second position, said body formed with athrough hole, said through hole covered by said first plate when saidfirst plate is in said first position, said through hole exposed whensaid first plate is in said second position; and l. a second platerotatably mounted to said body at the forward face thereof, said secondplate rotatable between a first position and a second position, saidfirst and second plates having substantially circular profiles, saidthrough hole and said first and second plate being coaxial, said secondplate formed with a through hole having a diameter less than thediameter of said through hole formed in said body, said first platehaving a diameter larger than said through hole formed in said secondplate, said through hole formed in said second plate covered when saidfirst plate is in said first position and exposed when said first plateis in said second position, a portion of said through hole formed insaid body covered when said first plate is in said second position andsaid second plate is in said first position, all of said through holeformed in said body exposed when said first plate is in said secondposition and said second plate is in said second position.
 2. The goalshield as claimed in claim 1 including a net pocket mounted to arearward face of said body about said through hole formed in said body.3. A goal shield comprising: a. a frame having a substantially U-shapedprofile in cross section, said frame including a pair of side membersand a top cross member; b. a body coplanar with said frame, said bodyincluding first, second, third, fourth, and fifth panels; c. a pluralityof fastening means mounted to said frame and said body, said fasteningmeans including first, second and third members, said third memberadapted to readily engage and disengage said first and second members,said first member detachably mounted to said second member when saidfirst and second members are engaged by said third member; d. said firstpanel connected to one of said side members, said top cross member, andsaid second panel; e. said second panel connected to said top crossmember, said first panel, said third panel, and said fourth panel; f.said third panel connected to said top cross member, said second panel,said fifth panel; g. said fourth panel connected to said second paneland said fifth panel; h. said fifth panel detachably connected to saidtop cross member, said third panel, and said fourth panel; i. at leasttwo of said first members mounted on each said first, second and thirdpanels, at least one of said first members mounted on adjacent sides ofeach said first, second and third panels; j. at least two of said secondmembers mounted on said frame, at least one second member mounted on oneof said side members and on said top cross member; k. a first platemounted to said body at a forward face thereof, said first plate movablebetween a first position and a second position, said body formed with athrough hole, said through hole covered by said first plate when saidfirst plate is in said first position, said through hole exposed whensaid first plate is in said second position; and l. a second platemounted to said body at the forward face thereof, said second platemovable between a first position and a second position, said secondplate formed with a through hole having a diameter less than thediameter of said through hole formed in said body, said through holeformed in said second plate being coaxial with said through hole formedin said body when saId second plate is in said first position, saidfirst plate having a profile larger than the diameter of said throughhole formed in said second plate, said through hole formed in saidsecond plate covered when said first plate is in said first position andexposed when said first plate is in said second position, a portion ofsaid through hole formed in said body covered when said first plate isin said second position and said second plate is in said first position,all of said through hole formed in said body exposed when said firstplate is in said second position and said second plate is in said secondposition.